J.L. has worked professionally in youth ministry for the past 11 years. He has served as Youth Director in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Finger Lakes region, and now in Western New York.

J.L. graduated in 2001 from Geneva College with his Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry. In 2005 he received his Master of Arts in Youth Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

He and his wife, Heidi, who have been married for 8 years, share a deep passion for ministering to youth. They have one awesome son, Silas. They feel truly blessed to have spent the last 5 years walking alongside the teens of this community.

J.L. sees youth ministry not as a profession, but as a way of life. If not in his office planning his lesson or the next big event, you can likely find him on the slopes with a bunch of youth, trying to "putdown" the 1 lb. Fuddrucker's burger with a group of guys, or going Deeper into God's word with the Thursday night Bible Study. J.L.'s desire is to raise up a generation who authentically lives their Christian faith, committed to expanding God's Kingdom here on earth.